South Shore Drill Team meets inauguration fund goal

The South Shore Drill Team exceeded its fundraising goal of $45,000 to cover the group’s trip to the presidential inauguration in Washington this weekend, team officials said Wednesday.

The group received donations of $5 and-or more from residents throughout the Chicago area, officials said.

Donations of $10,000 each by Walgreen Co. and Tim Rand, co-founder of the Chicago Football Classic, helped push the total to $50,500. The group also received $4,000 from blues legend Buddy Guy.

“Our young people worked hard for this, and we’re on our way,” Arthur Robertson, founder and director of the team, said in a statement.

The drill team was chosen from among more 2,800 applicants to march in the inaugural parade following the president’s swearing-in ceremony on Monday. The funds will cover the cost of transportation, lodging and meals during the three-day trip.